Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1887-07-28
AMONG THE DIGGERS.
Sketches Taken In the Camp of an Oh
scure Tribe of Indians.

scure Tribe of Indians.
Few people know that the Diggers,
who live in Pleasant Valley, and are
known as the Pamblos, have musical
man among them. This Digger is
known as Bob. He is really good
performer on the guitar, flute, fife, vio-
lin, organ and harmonica. He has
played for several "pale face
dances, and handles violin like
master.
He is pure-b -blooded Digger, and. so
far as he knows, none of his ancestors
were musically inclined.
The "tribe' also boasts of having a
ce ntenarian, an old squaw, whose hair
is white as snow, whose daughter is
seventy-fve years old, and whose only
English ejaculation is "Gimme two
bits"
Captain Pamblos is short, wiry old
fellow. He is about fifty years of age,
and is one of the most inveterate hunt
ers in the country. His unerring aim
has laid down many a jackass rabbit
and humbled to the dust many pro- q
woodpecker. The reason is this:
Whenever they have dance, or, as
they call it, ga big soup, they rig them.
selves out as Enthusiastically as possible.
Every buck who wishes to dance must
buy ticket, paying for it in good solid
American silver.
AS ticket the scalp of the wood
pecker recommends itself. 1t is gaudy
and conspicuous. The tail feathers
of the yellow-hammer are also used
for the same purpose, two feathers be.
ing fastened to little stick which is
worn in the hair or carried in the
hand. These "big-soups' are frequent.
A Digger will work hard for week OF
two when the acorns are ripe and lay
in supply of them for winter. Then
he will notify some other tribe, and
all his relations back to the tenth gen.
Grafton will come to see him and help
him devour the whole lot. Then they
invite the family of the host to their
"campooda," and so the visiting and
"big souping" goes on till all the rela-
tions have visited each other and there
are no more acorns to devour.
The Digger is child of nature, and
he cares little for the fashionable fol-
lies of the world. Some of them are
noted for their wicked ways, and one
of the Pamblos, hard case known as
"Scar- Face Dick" or Dick Tomale, has
been a holy terror among his people
for many years. Several efforts have
been made to kill him by his tribe and
the Nevada City Indians, but all have
failed. He is the most intelligent Dig
ger of them all, and will discuss any
subject, not ignoring religious mat
ters. But his favorite topic is spiritu-
alism. His arguments are often full
"a dry, sarcastic humor. This dry
humor is part of the average Digger S
disposition. Captain Pamblos was
once passing a house where young
lady was singing vigorously. He
paused and listened. Then turning to
a boy who was playing near he said,
gravely: "Why for she clyP' Dick
Tomale once listened 'gravely to sew
eral young men and women who were
discussing ghosts. At last he inter
rupted them, and in his drawling way
said: "Ya-ss, believe in ghosts, too.
met ghost one night. Iwasn't ex.
actly full, but 1 had some wine. II
was dark, and I saw big, white ghost
get up out of the ground and stand il
front of me. hauled off and hit il
with my fist you bet"
well, said a listener, "what was
itp"
Dick looked around mysteriously
picked up his rifle, spat at fly on his
sleeve, and as he moved off with ;
light and cunning air, said in lout
whisper: "It was q rock. "-Nevadc
CITY Herald.